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U. S.
MARINE CORPS MUSEUM
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The new and spectacular museum
of the Marine Corps is more than a museum. It is a memorial also. It is located
right on US Route 1 at intersection with state road 619 in Triangle VA. which
is directly adjacent to the Marine base at Quantico. This view close to the
entrance shows only a part of the towering superstructure which is meant to
represent the iconic photograph and statue depicting the Marines raising the
American flag at Iwo Jima. The contents of this museum are so vast and varied
that it was not possible to make more than a few representative photos on the
first visit. We will add more photos as time permits. The central open area is
called "Leatherneck Gallery and opens into the various display areas
around the outer ring plus a large museum store. Clockwise from the left in the
outer circle are galleries focused on "Global War on Terrorism",
"Combat Art", "Korean War", and "Vietnam War".
Inside this is a semicircular "Legacy Walk" the walls of which are
full of photos and historical artifacts. Inside this walkway are galleries for
"Making Marines" and "World War II" A second deck contains
dining facilities and temporary exhibits plus an observation area overlooking
the central area. There are audio-visual productions on TV's and documentary
movies running in many galleries..
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Display that is part of the
memorial area outside the museum. This area is titled - "Semper Fidelis
Memorial Park" and contains numerous commemorative bricks with names of
individuals lining the walkways. There are also numerous carved words such as
"Judgment" "Dependability", "Courage", and
"Loyalty" inscribed in the walkway.
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View of the new Marine Corps
Museum from sufficient distance to see the soaring superstructure representing
the raising of American flag at Iwo Jima. The museum is visible for miles
around.
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The soaring superstructure and
spire emulataing the Marine's favorite icon really stands out in this view from
the side.
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Statue of "Iron Mike"
in uniform of World War I. The statue is dedicated to the Marine 5th and 6th
Regiments and 6th Machine Gun Bn.
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Statue of General John Lejune,
Marine division commander during World War I and then Commandant of the Marine
Corps. It is in the memorial garden section outside the museum.
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View of the left side of the
"Leatherneck Gallery" on entering the museum.
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View of the right side of the
"Leatherneck Gallery" on entering the museum
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View of part of the entrance
"Leatherneck" area from above.
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View of part of the entrance
area from the observation deck.
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View of the interior of the
soaring roof line over the Marine museum
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The Vought F4U Corsair
"Whistling Death" that was introduced into Marine aviation for combat
in the Pacific in 1943. It enabled the Marine aviators to outclass the Japanese
Zero and was given the nickname from the sound it made during low level
strafing runs.
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The Vought F4U Corsair
"Whistling Death" that was introduced into Marine aviation for combat
in the Pacific in 1943. It enabled the Marine aviators to outclass the Japanese
Zero and was given the nickname from the sound it made during low level
strafing runs.
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F-4U Corsair
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F-4U Corsair
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F-4U Corsair
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Marines leap from a Sikorski
HRS-1 in a 1950's ''assault from the sky' during the Korean War. The 1st Marine
Bde employed new tactics in their use.
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Close up details of the 'assault
from the sky'
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The Marine's "Assault from
the sky" viewed from above.
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Marines assaulting "Across
the Reef" at Tarawa using an Alligator. 84 of these new vehicles carried
1500 Marines into this bloody battle.
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Another view of the
"Accross the Reef" display. A Curtis Jenny of World War I hangs from
the rafters in the background.
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A close- up view of part of the
"Accross the Reef' scene.
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A close- up view of part of the
"Accross the Reef' scene.
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A close- up view of part of the
"Accross the Reef' scene.
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The Curtis Jenny, that provided
close air support for Marines during World War I in Europe
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The Curtis Jenny, that provided
close air support for Marines during World War I in Europe
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The Curtis Jenny, that provided
close air support for Marines during World War I in Europe
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The Curtis Jenny, that provided
close air support for Marines during World War I in Europe
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The Curtis Jenny, that provided
close air support for Marines during World War I in Europe
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Careful, that guy with the Lewis
gun is aiming right at you.
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The Marines love the McDonnell
Douglas AV-8 - the Harrier "Bird of Prey" a VSTOL aircraft that
enables them to have close ground support from support ships.
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The McDonnell Douglas AV-8
Harrier
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The McDonnell Douglas AV-8
Harrier
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The McDonnell Douglas AV-8
Harrier
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The McDonnell Douglas AV-8
Harrier
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A proud Marine holding the Corps
flag.
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Marines fighting from sailing
ship during Revolutionary War.
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On entering the theme galleries
the visitor is confronted by Marines manning a 'top' of a Revolutionary War
sailing ship, the first mission of the new U. S. Marine Corps.
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Next in view is this wall
depicting the Marines deployed in China in defense of Peking during Boxer
Rebellion.
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The museum of full of display
cases containing artifacts from the long Marine Corps history. This one has
edged weapons from the early 19th century carried by Marines from the
"Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli"
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The museum includes small
sections briefly covering the history of the Marine Corps prior to its major
contribution to World War I in Europe.
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Some of the wall displays in the
major section "Global War on Terrorism"
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Another of the wall displays in
the major section "Global War on Terrorism"
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The Marines are far from ocean
beaches while combatting terrorists in rugged Afghanistan.
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Another wall display
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Another wall display
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Photo of the Marrine barracks
after being truck bombed by terrorists.l
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Wall display - part of large
section on the fighting in Iraq.
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Wall display - part of large
section on the fighting in Iraq.
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Wall display - part of large
section on the fighting in Iraq.
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The museum has 8000 works of
fine art and displays a portion of the best in a large "Combat Art
Gallery".
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Painting depicting a Marine
sniper in action. "Preventive medicine - Somalia" by Col. Peter Gish
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"Liberty rising from
America after the September 11, 2001 atacks. "Liberty Rising" by
noted Washington DC area artist, Col. Donna Neary, USMCR (Ret.) - Reproduced
with permission of the artist. The remains of the World Trade Center can be
clearly seen behind her, and she is 'rising' out of the tangled remains - in
which the outline of the USA can be seen.
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The painting depicts U. S.
Marines in action during naval battle of the Wasp versus HMS Reindeer - by
Staff Sgt. John Clymer
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Painting of U. S. Marines in
action in China - "Defense of Peking 1900" by Staff Sgt. John Clymer
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Painting of Marines in action -
"Fort Riviere, Haiti 1915" by Col Donna Neary
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Painting of Marines in action -
"Last night of the war" by Frederick Yohn
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Painting of Marines in action -
"Tarawa, 20 Nov. 1943" by Colonel Charles Waterhouse
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Painting of Marines in action
"Tarawa, 20 Nov. 1943" by Colonel Charles Waterhouse
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Alpha raider" - by Cpl
Annette Spurgeon
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Painting of Marine recruiting
poster circa World War I
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DeHavilland DH-4 used by Marines
for close air support during World War I
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DeHavilland DH-4 used by Marines
for close air support during World War I
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Marine using Browning heavy
water cooled machine gun for air defense of Wake Island early in the Pacific
campaigns of World War II.
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Marine defending Wake Island
from Japanese air attack. The Japanese captured the island and took remaining
Marines prisoner.
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Navy corpsman attending to
wounded Marine during World War II in Pacific.
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Interesting scene depicting
ladies at home watching President Roosevelt deliver address to Congress about
Pearl Harbor. Of course there was no television show at the time but they would
have been listening on radio. The screens on the walls show newsreels of the
event and the sound is clearly President's famous speech.
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Wall display of photos of
Marines during World War II - with an apt quotation.
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Display depicting layout of a
Marine's kit on bunk in garrison at start of World War II
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Wall display of recruiting
posters for U. S. Marine Corps in World War II
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M3A1 Stuart Light Tank used by
Marines during first part of World War II - had crew of 4 with a 37mm main gun
and 3 30cal machine guns. Next to it is a 75mm pack howitzer
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Close-up of the 75mm pack
howitzer M-1923 adopted in 1930's and used by Marines in the Pacific. The M3A1
Stuart light tank is behind it.
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The Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat used
by Marines in 1941-43.
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Display case of World War II
small arms
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Display case of World War II
small arms
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Japanese machine guns - top -
type 11 light machine gun 1922 - bottom - type 92 Heavy machine gun of 1932 -
both standard use during World War II.
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The famous Thompson sub machine
gun - "Tommy gun" of World War II fame.
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A flame thrower carried on a
Marine's back - a great weapon for attacking Japanese caves and entrenchments.
Unfortunately no longer used.
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Marines firing a 37mm Anti-tank
gun on Guadalcanal
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Marines firing a 37mm Anti-tank
gun on Guadalcanal
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Marines firing a 37mm Anti-tank
gun on Guadalcanal
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Marines in World War II Jeep -
1/4 ton truck watching something overhead.
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Marines using a M-4A-3 Sherman
Tank against a Japanese cave on Peleliu. The tank has a 75mm main gun, a 50 cal
maching gun and2 30 cal machine guns. The Marine at rear is communicating with
the tank commander via internal telephone.
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Marines using a M-4A-3 Sherman
Tank against a Japanese cave on Peleliu. The tank has a 75mm main gun, a 50 cal
maching gun and2 30 cal machine guns. The Marine at rear is communicating with
the tank commander via internal telephone.
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Marines using a M-4A-3 Sherman
Tank against a Japanese cave on Peleliu. Close-up detail of the Marine at rear
communicating with the tank commander via internal telephone.
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Grumman TBF-TBM Avenger. The
Marines had 20 squadroons of this torpedo bomber.
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Red Beach at Tarawa - small
diorama behind glass.
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British DeHavilland OH-4 used by
Marines during World War I - hanging above the Legacy Walk.
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Marine uniforms in early 19th
century
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Marines assault from the sky.
They are above the Legacy Walk
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A small section of the lengthy
wall of the Legacy Walk corridor that runs between the outer ring containing
the VietNam, Korean War and Global War sections and the inner ring that houses
the World War II and the "Making Marines" sections.
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A small section of the lengthy
wall of the Legacy Walk corridor that runs between the outer ring containing
the VietNam, Korean War and Global War sections and the inner ring that houses
the World War II and the "Making Marines" sections.
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The Bell UH-1 Iroquois
"Huey" that the Marines used in VietNam - hanging above the Legacy
Walk.
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The Bell UH-1 Iroquois
"Huey" that the Marines used in VietNam - hanging above the Legacy
Walk.
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A scene of Marines during World
War II - behind glass that created reflections.
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Wall display in section devoted
to Marine actions during the "cold war".
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Marine dressed as well as
possible for winter warfare in Korea - actually they lacked proper boots and
much else.
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The M-1 Garand rifle - from WWII
- standard rifle for Marines during the Korean War.
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Photo on wall - Russian T-34
tank - This was the finest tank of World War II and still the best tank at the
start of the Korean War.
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The Russian M-1910 version of
Maxim Machine Gun - Hiram Maxim was an American inventor whose machine gun was
adopted by armies around the world. It was a standard for the North Koreans. In
front of it is a Type53 Chinese light machine gun.
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Model of a helicopter
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Sikorsky HD3S-1 Dragon fly used
by Marines in Korean War
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Display case with captured North
Korean small arms.
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Part of a audio visual scene
showing the Marines landing at Inchon during Korean War. One of the most
audacious Marine operations. After showing a movie of landing craft approaching
the sea wall this shows the first Marine climbing the wall.
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Display of photos of Marines
fighting in Seoul.
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Display of photographs of
Marines at Inchon
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Marine tank in Seoul
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Wall of Seoul with signs.
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Marines used the M-26 Pershing
medium tank in Korea, here shown in battle for Seoul.
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Detail showing Marines and M-26
along with an anti-aircraft maching gun
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Detail of the M-26 Pershing tank
in Seoul
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Detail of the M-26 Pershing tank
in Seoul
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Marine outpost near Chosin
Reservoir. This marvelous display is in a specially sealed area where the
temperature is kept very low. The lighting and sound effects provide some
realism to the scene as well. But the lighting is so dark that photography was
difficult.
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Marine outpost near Chosin
Reservoir. This marvelous display is in a specially sealed area where the
temperature is kept very low. The lighting and sound effects provide some
realism to the scene as well.
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Another attempt to capture the
action during this night scene in a mountain pass near Chosin - the light comes
up in flashes depicting the artillery fire.
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Another attempt to capture the
action during this night scene in a mountain pass near Chosin - the light comes
up in flashes depicting the artillery fire.
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Another attempt to capture the
action during this night scene in a mountain pass near Chosin - the light comes
up in flashes depicting the artillery fire.
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Another attempt to capture the
action during this night scene in a mountain pass near Chosin - the light comes
up in flashes depicting the artillery fire.
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A Marine LVT-3 is dug in to form
part of a firing position - observation post in Korea.
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Part of a firing position -
observation post in Korea.
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View of the landscape in front
of the observation post.
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Detail of one part of the
interior of the observation post. - The note points out that after the Chinese
intervention and subsequent return of the allied lines to near the 38th
Parallel the war settled down into a stalemate while serious fighting
continued.
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Marines used the Grumman F9F-2
Panther
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Marines used the Grumman F9F-2
Panther
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Marine helicopter in Korea.
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Part of the display at entrance
to the VietNam War section depicting the early arrival of Marines in theater. -
the A4E Skyhawk is overhead. (See below)
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Wall display with comment about
the Marine's close air support provided by their own 1st Marine Aircraft Wing -
so true.
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The M-14 rifle - initial
personal small arms weapon of Marines in VietNam - replaced much against their
will by the inferior M-16, as the adjacent description notes.
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Tail section of the McDonnell
Douglas A-4E SkyHawk above the entrance to the VietNam War section. As with so
many of the other aircraft here, it is not possible to get a good photograph of
the entire aircraft.
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A very clever audiovisual
technique. They are showing a movie of Marine action in Viet Nam with a
projector focused on the underside of the A-4E SkyHawk. The museum has many
excellent audio-visual displays and also at various points there are phones
with which the visitor can listen to actual tapes of after action reports from
Marines.
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The nose of the A-4E Sky Hawk.
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Wall poster describing the A-4E
- all the items are well described in similar fashion. The museum is a font of
historical knowledge for the visitor who takes the time to study the
descriptions.
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McDonnell Douglas A-4E Sky Hawk
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Moving further into the section
about the VietNam War the unique capabilities of the Marines are well
displayed.
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Another of the many displays of
typical weapons - in this case of Marines and VietNamese. (See next photo for
detail)
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The M-134 Minigun mounted in
aircraft to provide close -air ground support - It operates on the Gattling gun
principle with six rotating barrels but is electrically driven.
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Viet Namese machine guns and
grenade launcher
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VietNamese sub machine guns.
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Display showing a Marine with
his combat dog passing a VietNamese village house.
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Display showing a Marine with
his combat dog passing a VietNamese village house.
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Display showing a Marine with
his combat dog passing a VietNamese village house.
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I took this photo from the
wrong angle - It shows a Marine using a pistol, barely visible from this side,
to fire into a 'spider hole or tunnel entrance.
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Poster describing the Marine
part in the defeat of the North VietNamese - Viet Cong combined TET offensive.
The Marines had a terrific battle to retake Hue citadel.
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Dramatic display of the Marine
use of the M-50 ONTOS in the battle for Hue. The vehicle mounts 6 M-40 106mm
Recoilless Rifles. It was originally designed for the anti-tank role but the
Marines found it useful for city fighting. Note the Marine checking around the
city wall for snipers.
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Dramatic display of the Marine
use of the M-50 ONTOS in the battle for Hue. The vehicle mounts 6 M-40 106mm
Recoilless Rifles. It was originally designed for the anti-tank role but the
Marines found it useful for city fighting.
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Dramatic display of the Marine
use of the M-50 ONTOS in the battle for Hue.
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The ONTOS and the Marine
administering first aid - the combination shows the simultaneous Marine use of
firepower to defeat a viscious enemy while trying their best to care for
innocent bystanders.
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Marine applying first aid to
Viet Namese child during height of the battle for Hue.
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Historical description about
Marine battle at Dai DO.
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Here we are descending the rear
ramp of a Chinook arriving at a Marine fire base at Khe Sanh. The heated
display vibrates and smells like a helicopter under power. This is one of the
remarkable, realistic features of these museum displays. One is led into the
battle scenes.
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Emerging from the helicopter we
find a 105 howitzer emplaced on a hill with Khe Sanh main area in the left
distance. The sound of gunfire is nearly deafening.
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A mortar emplacement, part of
the all-round, close in support of the artillery fire base.
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Marine defending the fire base
with a light machine gun - the main part of Khe Sanh is in the distance.
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Another view of the howitzer -
the main purpose for establishing the fire base was to provide artillery fire
over surrounding areas.
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The Marines lost a few hundred
KIA during the fierce battle at Khe Sanh, but killed at least 10,000 North
VietNamese in the process. The Marines successfully held the base and repelled
all North Vietnamese assaults, but subsequently were relieved by ground action
and then withdrew from this part of VietNam.
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A wounded Marine being assisted
toward an aid station.
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A Marine coming out of one of
the crew emplacements at Khe Sanh and preparing to fill more sand bags under
the intense bombardment.
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The aft section of the
helicopter that brought us to this fire base. The war featured the creation of
many such fire bases on isolated hill tops at which the entire force with its
artillery and everything was brought in by helicopter.
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Detail of the 105mm howitzer at
Khe Sanh.
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Another view of the fire base at
Khe Sanh
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View into the interior of the
helicopter
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The American flag files proudly
over Khe Sanh throughout the terrible battle.
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Historical display describing
the Marine operation "Dewey Canyon".
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Historical description of Marine
operation Tiger Mountain
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Displayed in the dark is a
Russian 122mm gun, of which the Marines captured several during Tiger Mounain.
This was the largest field piece used by the North VietNamese army.
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Displayed in the dark is a
Russian 122mm gun, of which the Marines captured several during Tiger Mountain.
This was the largest field piece used by the North VietNamese army.
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Displayed in the dark is a
Russian 122mm gun, of which the Marines captured several during Tiger Mountain.
This was the largest field piece used by the North VietNamese army.
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The Marine Drill Instructor
School - part of the interesting and effective section "Making
Marines" in which visitors are invited to try their hand at various Marine
recruit activities including a small arms target range and various skills -
judging from the crowds, a very popular section. The section concludes with a
white bus showing young men inside bound for recruit training.
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Photo showing Marines at Officer
Candidate School
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Large photo on wall showing
young women striving to become Marines.
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